What a year we have had so far at Eagles’ Nest; from two engagements within the Eagles’ Nest Family, celebrations, a farewell, a welcome, a gruelling Argus Cycle Tour, the Constantia Fresh and the 2 Oceans; we have definitely hit the ground running after a very festive season. We hope all our customers had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as well as a great start to 2013.

Fun in the Sun at Eagles’ Nest

The Tasting Room has been filled with fun, energy and laughter over the past season with many sunny days bringing visitors to the estate for our wonderful picnics and their daily dose of Vitamin D. Our lawns have been filled with happy families and friends, playing children and full tummies from our ever-moreish picnics. Some of the playful children were able to wear out even the most energetic of our guests.

If you would like to join in the fun in the last few rays of summer for a picnic please contact Kaylee at 021 794 4095 or kstewart@eaglesnestwines.com. If a picnic is not what you are after why not opt for a glass (or bottle) of wine to be enjoyed in our new “Secret Garden”.

Join the Club

If you feel like spoiling yourself with a few bottles of delicious wine, why don’t you join our Eagles’ Nest Wine Club. All you need to do is purchase 18 bottles or more and you are part of the club! There are so many perks to being part of the club, such as discounts, Sneak peeks into old vintages / barrel tastings, special invites to Eagles’ Nest events etc.

Just pop into the tasting room to pick up your wine and find out more.

Eagles Nest achieves outstanding Parker Ratings

We have been lucky enough to receive Parker Ratings this year, as released by ‘The Wine Advocate’ – and we could not be happier with the outstanding results.

 Shiraz 2009: 91/100 (This is the same as last year’s score for our 2008 vintage

Verreaux 2009: 93/100 (An increase from last year’s score of 90/100 for our 2008 vintage)

Viognier 2010: 93/100 (Consistent with last year’s score for our 2009 vintage)

Just another way we are able to show how consistent quality throughout our vintages is imperative to us at Eagles’ Nest.

Catch us in a City near you…

With the South African Winter School holidays just around the corner and diaries filling up fast with family visits and upcoming events, here are a few places where you can find our team in the next few weeks:

19 / 20 / 21 April – The Constantia Food and Wine Festival                                                                                    Venue: Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate

3 / 4 / 5 May – The Johannesburg Wine Show                                                                                                 Venue: Sandton Convention Centre

What’s New at Eagles’ Nest

We were lucky enough to be featured in an article of Michael Fridjohn’s whereby he names Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2009 one of the top five Shiraz in South Africa. Have a read here: http://www.bdlive.co.za/life/travel/2013/02/22/wine-narrowing-the-shiraz-gap

We have also been lucky enough to be reviewed by The White Club, one of the most exclusive international wine and Champagne clubs in the world, with just 100 members. Our Director, Peter Stewart, and Marketing Manager, Du Toit Hoffman, recently met The White Club’s CEO and founder, Malene Meisner, at Zurich’s Kap Weine store, where we were showing our wines.

In Malene’s words: “Everything the gentlemen promised me the wines would be, they were.The fresh fruit, the mouth filling sensation, the well-balanced acidity and softness in all wines. I recommend you taste the Eagles Nest wines…!”

Read her full review of our Shiraz, Viognier and Merlot here: http://thewhiteclub.com/2013/03/29/eagles-nest-viognier-merlot-shiraz/

With our Shiraz 2009 selling out fast over the festive season we jumped at the opportunity to show you what Stuart and his team have been up to behind the scenes and we are very proud to announce the release of our Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2010.

What does Stuart have to say about this majestic wine? “This 2010 vintage Shiraz expresses attractive dark plum, pepper spice and subtle black currant aromas. The wine is bolder than its’ 2009 predecessor whilst maintaining the velvety smooth tannins that characterize all Eagles’ Nest reds. Great body and length ensure that this wine will age beautifully if one can resist the temptation to drink it right away……”

Stuart was lucky enough to be invited to a tasting with Michael Fridjohn whereby some of South Africa’s top Shiraz was tasted against some of Australia’s top Shiraz and our Shiraz 2010 scored a brilliant 18/20. An exceptional result to introduce our Shiraz 2010 with.

We were also very excited to open our first ever “BIG BOTTLE”, our Shiraz 2010 Magnum, at the Constantia Fresh. The perfect purchase for a special occasion – on sale at the Tasting Room now, less than 50 bottles available so don’t miss out!

A big well done to our Eagles’ Nest Cycling Team for completing the Pick ‘n Pay Argus Cycle Tour in some very desirable times; the wind and the heat can’t keep us down! So a very well done to Kobus, our farm manager and viticulturist, his daughter Jana and one of our Tasting Room Ambassadors, Roger. These three very same people decided to brave the Cape Town streets again for the grueling Two Oceans Half Marathon, we are not just a fabulous bottle of wine here at Eagles’ Nest!  You did us proud!

We are also very proud of our new partnerships, you can now find our Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot at The City Grill (try our Merlot 2008 with their Bobotie – a great local dish with a great local wine) The Greek Fisherman (try our Sauvignon Blanc with their Seafood Platter – a match made in heaven) and Melancino – both pair magnificently with pizza and pasta according to your taste buds. Pure Restaurant at Hout Bay Manor has recently added our Verreaux and Merlot to their list and you can find our Shiraz and Viognier at all  the MOYO restaurants nationwide! To see where we are available in your city or country click here.

Going, going, gone…

We are sad to announce that some of our special wines have sold out over the festive season – we are sure there were some very big smiles as people opened presents consisting of bottles of Eagles’ Nest on Christmas!

That being said, we have SOLD OUT of our Little Eagle Rose and Little Eagle Red Blend, please keep a close eye on your emails as well as our facebook and twitter to see when our new vintages will be released!

We also have less than 20 cases of our Viognier 2012 left in our Tasting Room, so if this wine is your favourite ‘liquid gold’ pop down to the Tasting Room to pick up a few bottles, the 2013 vintage is sitting in the tanks but will only be released at the end of 2013 so don’t miss out! Watch out for the release of a few ‘golden oldies’ to keep you going till the release of the Viognier 2013.

Eagles’ Nest Harvest 2013

With Harvest just around the corner, we are all definitely feeling the “calm before the storm”…

“The 2013 grapes have been slowly ripening for what seems like an age.  This is the longest I have seen grapes hang on Eagles’ Nest and the excitement to begin harvesting is palpable. Long hang times on the vine, coupled with the mild summer we’ve experienced on the peninsula means one thing…..Super premium fruit.  I am tasting plump ripe fruit and spice, coupled with the most superbly ripe tannins I have seen in a long time. 2013 is lining up to be a stunning vintage,  so here’s to hoping mother nature plays her part and gives us a few more rain free weeks to pick all the grapes.”

We have also been very busy planting some new vineyards, have a look at our Shiraz Nursery, in two years these babies will bear the fruit that will be turned into our award-winning Shiraz! We have also been hard at work planting some more Viognier vineyards so that we can keep pouring this liquid gold all year round!

Living abroad and fallen inlove with Eagles’ Nest

Take a bit of Eagles’ Nest home with you! We now have special shipping deals for the USA, UK and Europe!

We are now able to ship straight to your door through our warehouses in Europe and the USA.  If you would like to find our more just contact Kaylee or speak to any of our Tasting Room Ambassadors on your next visit.

For now we say Goodbye, Totsiens, Hamaba Kakuhle and  we hope to have the pleasure of your company at Eagles’ Nest Soon.

Cat’s winning entry:

All I want for Easter is a bottle of Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2010 and… quality time relaxing and catching up with my fabulous friends, over lunch and on the water in my kayak!

Ian’s winning entry:

All I want for Easter is a bottle of Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2010 and a picnic basket to share under a weeping willow with the one I love.

Cat and Ian, very well done to you both! Please contact Kaylee on kstewart@eaglesnestwines.com or call her on 021 794 4095 to arrange collection of your prize.

Thank you to everyone who entered! Please keep watching this space for our next giveaway. We wish you and your families a very happy Easter weekend – don’t forget that we’re open throughout the long weekend (with the exception of Good Friday, when we are closed) from 10h00 to 16h30 for tastings, sales and picnics.

Following in the award-winning footsteps of its predecessors, the 2010 vintage is a typical cool climate Shiraz with a rich, dark- plum colour. On the nose, the prominent white pepper tones – a hallmark of the Eagles’ Nest Shiraz – are complemented by dark red berry fruit and hints of violets. A seriously yummy wine to enjoy with roast meats, hearty casseroles… and the finest Easter chocolates!

Want to win a bottle? All you need to do is like us on Facebook and leave us a comment on our page, completing the sentence: All I want for Easter is a bottle of Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2010 and…

- Entrants must be over 18 years of age

- This competition will run from 19 March to 27 March. Winners will be announced on 28 March

- Entrants may enter as many times as they like, with one new comment on the page per entry

- Winners must be able to collect their prize from the Eagles’ Nest tasting room in Constantia, Cape Town

Each year during the Cape summer months, when the South Easterly winds gust across the Peninsula with increased intensity, 35,000 odd cyclists from all over the world hope for ideal weather conditions on one particular day. This year will be no different, when novice and seasoned riders line up on 10 March 2013 for the largest individually-timed sporting event in the world: The Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour.

The cycle tour has attracted participants from all walks of life and will feature entrepreneurial giant Richard Branson in the line-up this year. All have the same ambition in mind – to complete what is arguably one of the most beautiful races in the world, covering a distance of 110km of tarmac, but at the same time to experience the energy and hospitality of fellow participants and Cape residents along the route.

This single day of mass cycling has grabbed the attention and imaginations of many for 35 years, but for two friends the dream had a purpose. It was the vision of Bill Mylrea (Eagles’ Nest Proprietor) and John Stegmann to crusade for a safe cycle path network in Cape Town, that could be enjoyed by hikers, joggers and, of course cyclists. Bill envisioned that cycle paths could be utilised as alternative means of getting about. “I thought it would be a good idea as a cheap transport medium, because in those days there weren’t taxis and other forms of public transport, which was quite a problem.”

In September 1977, after numerous failed attempts to rally support from the authorities, Bill and John opted for a mass demonstration. “We suggested that everybody in favour of cycle paths ride to City Hall. It was a great success. We just about filled the Grand Parade! Hundreds of cyclists took part.” In 1978, after having secured the endorsement and support of the Cape Argus (a regional newspaper), an annual cycle event named the Argus Cycle Tour was launched. The rest, as they say, is history, and today this Rotary-managed event attracts thousands to Cape Town for pure cycling pleasure. The route was also recently named as one of National Geographic’s Top 10 International Cycle Routes.

Today, Bill may be found enjoying a glass of wine with friends at our tastingroom, or carefully tending to his vintage Daimler in his garage on the property. An avid antique car collector and restorer, he meticulously preserves every part of his vehicle – much like he did with Eagles’ Nest, which was destroyed by fire in 2000. Together with his family, Bill has restored the estate’s natural beauty, making it a rich biodiversity site in the Constantia Wineland that also produces consistently world-class wines.

This year will mark the 36th anniversary of the cycle tour. If you’re in the area over the Argus weekend, or you happen to find yourself cycling over Constantia Nek to prepare for the big day, do visit our tasting room and absorb some of the magical history of the race and the stomping grounds of its founder.

Whoopla!

CLICK HERE to read our latest Christmas newsletter

This year, Eagles’ Nest is offering something a little different – we’re giving you the opportunity to make any day your Valentine’s Day! One lucky couple will win an absolutely indulgent picnic for two, to be shared and enjoyed on our green lawns beneath our towering trees, on a date and day of your choice. Our picnic includes your choice of our Sauvignon blanc or Little Eagle red blend and a variety of sumptuous treats, just perfect for sharing, including whole camembert drenched with preserves, freshly baked French loaf, vegetable trio sticks with pesto, chicken liver pate with cranberry jelly, olives, biltong, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

For those in the area on Valentine’s Day, do remember that our tasting room will be open for extended hours that evening. We look forward to welcoming you, to enjoy a wine tasting, sun-downer or romantic picnic - do call us for further details: Tel: 021-794 4095

Want to win?

- Purchase any bottle of Eagles’ Nest wines in our Tasting Room and complete an entry form

or

- Purchase any bottle of Eagles’ Nest wines at a shop or restaurant near you and email/ fax us you invoice and contact details to info@eaglesnestwines.com /     021-794 7113

or

- Love (Like) us on Facebook and share our competition post

or

- Follow us on Twitter and tweet any or all of our competition phrases

T&C’s

- Entrants must do any one of, or a combination of, the above entry mechanisms in order to be entered into the competition. Improve your chances by doing as many of the above as you wish.

- The closing date for this competition is 29 February 2012 (Yes, theres 29 days to February this year)

- The prize must be taken between 1 March 2012 and 31 May 2012

- Booking is essential

- The prize is not transferable and may not be exchanged for cash

- Persons under the age of 18 are not eligible to enter

- The winning couple will be responsible for their own transport to Eagles’ Nest

Good Luck

South African SABC 3 viewers can expect to see the first of its’ kind reality TV Series set in the Cape Town wine lands, home to winemaking for over 350 years, early next month.

Entitled Exploring the Vine, this 13-part series chronicles the winemaking adventures of three up-and-coming local winemakers, Stuart Botha (Winemaker at Eagles’ Nest Wines), Howard Booysen and James Corder, over a 12-month period.

Produced in 2009 by leading South African film production company, Cooked in Africa Films, the series follows the daily antics of this unlikely trio of “wine boffins”, as they work long and hard to make a name for themselves in a notoriously competitive industry.

Says Founder and Executive Producer of Cooked in Africa Films, Justin Bonello, “Filmed in and around Stellenbosch, Constantia and Elgin, the Series provides a unique and entertaining showcase of what makes South African wines among some of the best in the world. Stuart, Howard and James represent a new generation of local winemakers who have each proven that the opposite is true when it comes to wine production: youth is not a handicap when it comes to making an excellent wine.”

In 2010, Cooked in Africa Films sold the global satellite rights to the series to National Geographic, succeeding in exposing the virtues of South African wine to an international audience.

“Exploring the Vine has been screened worldwide through the National Geographic Channel, establishing a global fan base for our three young winemakers and delivering tremendous value to the SA wine industry in the form of rich content and high entertainment appeal,” Justin comments.

SABC 3 viewers can expect a bird’s eye view of one of the most well respected wine destinations in the world as the talented trio try to balance hard work with leisure. There’s laughter and banter aplenty as the boys hit the road and discover the people, the places and sometimes the tall stories that make the South African wine industry truly unique.

The first episode of Exploring the Vine will be premiered on SABC 3 on Saturday, 4 February 2012 at 4pm.

Andrew Leaver, Commercial Manager of Eagles’ Nest, said: “We are delighted with this international acclaim. This is probably the most respected competition held on the international stage. The finest wines from every wine region in the world enter, making the winner, essentially, the best example of its cultivar in the world.”

Consulting winemaker to Eagles’ Nest, Martin Meinert, who won Winemaker of the Year at the Investec Private Bank Winemakers Choice Awards with this Shiraz, said: “I am exceptionally proud of this wine. To my knowledge it is unprecedented that a small estate can win such international acclaim with its second release. The team at Eagles’ Nest are passionate about what they do, it is an exceptional wine estate to work with and I am absolutely delighted with this award.”

The IWSC entries are judged using professional blind tasting and detailed chemical and microbiological analysis. The awards will be celebrated at an IWSC function in London for 500 guests in November.

Eagles’ Nest vineyards were established after the devastating fire in 2000 destroyed the fynbos and natural vegetation on the farm, as well as 95% of the forestation, and the owners, the Mylrea family, decided to shift the focus of the estate to wine,” said Leaver. In the 1600s the farm had formed part of Simon van der Stel’s Groote Constantia that produced wine for the nobility in Europe.

According to resident winemaker Stuart Botha, although the Constantia wine region is well known for its white wines, Eagles’ Nest has a unique terroir within the valley as it is situated on the highest slope in the Constantia Valley, making it more suitable to reds.

“We are concentrating on three cultivars, our prize winning Shiraz, Merlot which is award winning in its own right with four stars in the John Platter and ironically the cultivar our customers often prefer, and one white, our Viognier, which also won Silver-Best in Class at this year’s IWSC.”

The Eagles’ Nest Shiraz is a typical cool climate Shiraz with rich, fresh dark-plum colour and white pepper tones on the nose. It also won local acclaim with a Best Red Wine Trophy at the Investec Private Bank Winemakers Choice Awards.

Tastings at Eagles’ Nest are welcomed, but by appointment, please call 021 683 0487.